Buffer and draft device



Sept. 9, 1930. D. s. BARRows 1,775,616

BUFFER AND DRAFT DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 9,1930. l D. s. BARRow 1,775,615

BUFFER AND DRAFT DEVICE Patented Sept. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES,N

PATENT OFFICE DONALD S. BARROVJS,IOF ROCHESTER, YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THESYMINGTON COM- IPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N.VV Y., A

CORPORATION OF MARYLAND,

BUFFER Ann DRAFT DEVICE Application filed .December 8, 1926. Serial No.153,268.

This invention relates to underfraines for railway rolling stock and,more particularly,

to a buifer and draft device'adapted for cony nection with an associatedCar as a unit and designed for economical manufacture.

The principal object of `my invention, generally considered, is theprovision of a buffer and draft device adapted to replace the usualspring buffer housing, striking casting and cheek plates, with. orwithout'front draft lugs, on the underframe of a car, said device beingformed not only forincreased strength and adapted for being rigidlyconnected in the` desired location on the car, but being so formed thatmoulding conditions are Virnproved whereby the cost of manufacture isgreatly decreased. Y

An object of my invention isthe provision. of a buffer and draft deviceformed generally as an upper casting serving as a. spring buffer housingand a lower casting serving as astriking plate or couplery stop withintegrally connected cheek plate portions adapted for rigid connectionwith associated center sills, said cheek plate portions .being formed attheir inner edges with or without inwardly extending draft lugs, theupper portions of said cheek plate portions being rigidly connected byan upper shelf portion whichv also serves for supporting and rigidlycon. necting with the base of the spring buifer Another object of myinvention is the provision of a buffer and draft device comprising upperand lower members each integrally formed and providedwith substantiallyhorizontal web portions'adapted to registerand be connected by arelatively large number of rivets, the upper casting having portions forhousingassociated buffer springs and stems and upstan'ding web portionsYadapted for .connectionl with the end sill and other transverse membersof the car Vunderframe, said lower portion being formed with a strikVing plate, transversely spaced cheek plates adapted for rigid connectionwith associated center sills, and draft lug portions theron, andalternatively formed VVwith an integral' carrier iron portion.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel housingadapted for the reception of buffer springs andA stems and formed with abase portion providing a large rivetingarea for connection with anunderlying part of the car underframe, the rear edge of said baseportion being formed with an upstanding web portion adapted for Con'-nection with the end sill and other parts of the car underframe.

A still further object of invention is the provision of an integralstriking casting provided with portions serving as cheek plates andfront draft lugs, said cheek plate portions being connected at theirupper edges by the shelf portion adapte-d to support and be rigidlyconnected to an overlying asbeing provided with forward extensions vateither side thereof for increasing the riveting area, the lower edges ofsaid cheek plates being alternatively connected by an integral couplercarrier iron.

Other objects and advantages of the inven-V tion relating to theparticular arrangement and combination of the various parts will becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustra-ting my invention, the scope whereofis defined by the appended claims: l r

Figurefl isa plan of a preferred embodiment of my buffer and draftdevice, a portion thereof beingshown in horizontal section on thelinel---l of Figure 4, and fragmentary portions of associated underframemembers being illustrated, as well asiassociated draft rigging,diagrammatically illustrated by dot and dash lines.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view onV the `line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the form of device shown in Figures land 2.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectionalV View on the line 4-#4 of Figure 3.i

Fgure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view corresponding to Figure2 but 'showing a modification.

.Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated bylike reference characters and first considering the embodiment of myinvention illustrated in Figures l to 4,

' sociated buffer housing, said shelf portion A 'thebuifer housing withthe inclusive, there is illustrated a buffer and draft device generallydesignated by the reference character 1. In the present embodiment, thedevice 1 consists of an upper buffer casting or spring buffer housing 2and a lower striking casting or combination coupler stop with cheekplates and front draft lugs 3. These members 1 and 2 are rigidlyconnected by means such as rivets l extending through horizontal webportions thereof.

For the purpose of providing a relatively' large riveting area forsecurely connecting g striking casting 3, the top web or shelf portion 5of the striking casting 3 not only extends between the cheek plateportions 6 rearwardly of the striking plate or coupler stop portion 7but is continued to either side of said cheek plate portions and theremay be extended forwardly of the striking plate as indicated at 3. Therear edge of the web 5 is preferably curved, as illustratedparticularly7 in Figure l, between the cheek plate portions t3 toeconomize material. The base 9 of the spring buffer housing 2 may beformed generally similar in plan except that it terminates forwardly ofthe rear edge of the upper web or shelf 5 of the striking casting member3 and is continued upwardly as a substantially vertical web 10 providinga relatively great area for adequate connection with and reinforcementofthe end sill 11. At a height corresponding to the top of the end sill11, the web 10 is preferably extended horizontally as dicated at 12 fora. distance corresponding to the associated buffer block or adjacentpart of the car 13. From thence a vertical web 111 is preferablyextended upwardly to a height corresponding to the diameter of thebuffer spring housing portions as well as the vertical dimension of theassociated car part 13.

Each spring and stem housing portion 15 may be formed, as illustatedlgenerally cylindrical for the reception of the usual springs and stems(not shown), which stems, as wfll be understood, may be connected in awell known manner with the buffer plate (not shown) which, when the caris coupled to another car, is adapted to engage a corresponding bufferplate thereon and close up the space between the underframes. he springhousings 15 are not only connected bv the base or lower web 9, theupstandingwebs 10 and 111 and the connecting web portion 12 but thefront edge of the web portion 9 is preferably formed with an upstandingweb 16 extending only between the near sides of the buffer housingportions 15. F or rigidifving the construction, the upper edgebf the web1G may be formed with a horizontallvturned web or bead 1'? and the web14 may be likewise formed with a horizontally-turned forwardly extendingweb or bead 18. For rigidly connecting the webs 10 and 16,longitudinally extending upright webs 19 are preferably provided asindicated.

For properly holding the buffer keys (notl shown), ledges or shelfportions 2O are preferably provided adjacent the key slots 21, theinwardly extending shelf portions being terminated as illustratedshortly on either side of the key slots 21. The outer shelf portions 20,however, may be extended rearwardly to join with the outer ends of theweb portions 14- thereby greatly rigidifying the construction at thesepoints. That portion of the web lll forming the inner walls of thespring housing portions 15 may be provided with centrally positionedforwardly extending bosses 22 serving for centering the buffer springs.The construction beneath said bosses 2O is preferably rigidified bydiverging web portions 23.

For securely and rigidly connecting the buffer housing member 2 to thestriking casting member 3, the registering web portions 5 and 9 areconnected by a plurality of rivets 4. 'In the preferred embodimentillustrated, two transversely extending rows of rivets and twolongitudinally extending rows of rivets, said latter rows being spacedlaterally with respect to the transversely'extending rows of rivets, areprovided, aggregating twelve rivets in all, although it is obvious thata greater or less number of rivets may be used depending upon the sizeof the rivets and the necessary strength of connection between theparts` Considering now the construction of the lower member or strikingcasting 3, it will be seen that the cheek plate portions G thereofprovide adequate riveting area for connection with the associated centersills 24. Said cheek plate portions are, in the present embodiment, eachadapted for connection with the associated center sill by means ot' twovertically space(`L rows of rivets 25, each row comprising live rivetsalthough it is obvious that l do not wish to be limited to the number ofrivets employed. Said cheek plate portions are illustrated as formedwith slots 26 adapted for receiving an associated draft key 27, saidkey, as is usual, serving for connecting an associated coupler Q8 andyoke 20. The rear edges of said cheek plate portions are preferablyformed with inwardly extending flanges 30 serving as draft lugscooperating with a front follower 31 and cushioning mechanism 32illustrated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines. The draft lugportions 30 are preferably braced and reinforced with respect to thecheek plate portions 6 by means of triangular web or gusset portions 33.

In the present embodiment, I have shown those portions of the web 8extending forwardly of the striking plate portions 7 braced with respectto portions 34 depending from sald striking plate portions 7 by means oflil() substantially triangular web or gusset portions 35. Said dependingportions 34 are formed, in the present embodiment, with pockets 36forming bearings for trunnions 37 on carrier iron supports 38 swinginglyconnected with a carrier iron 39, and adapted to serve for centering theassociated coupler 28.

It will be noted that the reinforcing web 16 serves, in effect, as acontinuation of the striking plate portion 7 thereby improving theappearance of the combined member and increasing the strength thereof.As with the webs 9 and 16, the web 5 and the striking plate portion 7are preferably braced and the st-rength of the casting increased byvlongitudinal webs 40, preferably registering with the webs 19, taperingrearwardly to merge l into the web near the rear edge thereof. A

similar construction may be effected in the embodiment illustrated inFigure 5, that is, the upper or buffer housing member 2a may besimilarly positioned with respect to the lower or striking castingmember 3a with the forward edge of web 9a, diagrammatically illustratedin dot and dash lines, flush with the striking plate portion 7a. Theonly radical difference between the modification illustrated in Figure 5and the rst embodiment is that the carrier iron 39a is integral with thedepending portions 34a from the striking plate portion instead of beingswingingly connected thereto and/or the cheek plate portions 6a, insteadof being formed with front draft lugs for cooperation with the frontfollower usedl with verticalyoke may be omitted and the cheek plateportionsY attachment, may be merely formed as the front parts of F arlowcheek plates 6a or, if desired, may be formed as complete Farlow cheekplates. In other words, if it is desired to use my buffer and draftdevice with Farlow attachments, that is, with draft rigging utilizing ahorizontal yoke and a pair of draft keys, the integral forward draftlugs 6a of the device constructed, as illustrated in Figure 5, to formthe forward portions of F arlow cheek plates or all of said cheekplates. The slot portions 26a are preferably reinforced by a rib orbeading 33a around the slot portions in said check plates.

Additional modifications with respect to the first embodiment of myinvention may comprise the discontinuance of the upperweb or shelfportion of the striking casting forwardly of the end sill 11a therebyobviating cutting the end sill especially for the reception of saidshelf or web portion. The longitudinally extending reinforcing webs aare likewise discontinued at points adjacent the rear edge of saidshelf'portion 5a. In the iirstembodimentof my invention, the cheek plateor draft lug portions were `shown as extending on the inner surfaces ofthe draft sills although it is obvious that I do not wish to berestricted to sucha showing. A

similar construction is applicable tothe modiiication shownV in Figure 5and the cheek plate portions 6a are, therefore, shown as positioned toengage and be connected to the outer surfaces or sides of the draftsills 24a.

Although in the present embodiment, I have shown an integral carrieriron portion 39a, it is obvious that I do not wish to be restricted tosuch construction as, if desired, the coupler may be supported in amanner similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. If desired, awear plate 41 may be applied over the carrier iron portion 39a.

The foregoing description relates particularly to what may be consideredas a heavy draft and buffer vdevice to be used where great strength isrequired. If it is desired to reduce the weight of this device and it ispermissible to sacrifice some strength and riveting area,

the following modifications are preferred. The extensions 8 on the upperweb or shelf portion 5 of the striking casting 3 forwardly of thestriking plate 7 or the depending portions 34 on either side thereof maybe omitted together with the bracing webs or gussets 35 thereby savingthe weightthereof and, at the same time, sacrificing two rivets forconnecting the buffer and draft castings together, as illustrated inFigure 5. The upright web 16 and its reinforcing bead or flange 17 mayalso be omitted jand the longitudinal webs 19aL tapered forwardly tomerge into the web 9EL at the front edge thereof, as indicated in Figure5. The rearward extensionszof the web 5 overlying the draft lugportionsO may be decreased in length with the elimination of two rivets42, together with the connecting portion of the cheek plates 6.above theupper reinforcing flanges 33. The-loss ofthe two rear rivets 42 on saidweb 6 may be partially compensated for by the application of a'rivet L13disposed substantially on the longitudinal center line of the castingand adapted for connection with an angle iron, cover plate or other partof the car underframe extending between the sills at this place.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be seen that I have devised an improved bufer anddraft deviceV adapted for useand application to an associated carunderframe as a unit. The construction of the device, however, isgreatly facilitated by making the same inr twoV parts and rigidlyriveting said parts together. The reason for thisv is that smallercasting flasks may be employed thereby improving mouiding cenditions aswell as obviating the useof'an unduly large amount of sand and large drysand cores. In other words, in place of having to mould a verycumbersome and unwieldly device, it is merely necessary to mould tworelatively simple devices and cast the same. By dividingthecombined'buifer and draft device et the indicated line of division,improvement in mooi iin conditions is effected to the gi'ezltest degreeY-Jithout sacrificing' strength of the Combined :inicie oi* detracting'fiom the strength of Connection with the associated enr underfram Havingnow described my iifeotioon i miie? nod draft device comprising*seiviiigi, respectively, e. buffe? and striking cestino; with integralChee] pinto p ions, said striking casting being; pr vided With mi up*ei' substantially horizontal ii'eh portion seiviii to connect the Cheekpleite ooitio'ss and support the buffer s( sing; being formed oei-shousi u.

housing` iid buffer nou Y with e Coi'iespoidiiiq iowei horizontal wehportion adapted to iegist with the shelf portion of the striking,ast-ing, zuid rivet ineens iiegidh; connect-iii@ seid web portions,

said hiiiiei housing hein j 1formed at the iem edge et its brisepoi'tion with en opstanding web adapted foi' coniieetioii with anassociated end sill.

2. A butter and draft device eomoiising; members serving, respectiveiy,:.s :i huiiei' housing; mid t-rikiiigg:` casting' With integral cheekpiste port-ions, seid siiiiingr casting1 being' provided with mi uppersubstantially horizontal web portion serving to connect the cheek pleteportions and support the buffer housing, butter housing being formedWith .fi corre, pending lower horizont-:i1 Weh porti adapted toresiste-i1 with the shelf portion ot the stikiiig Casting, and rivetmeans fig-idly connecting said web portions, smid hoffe? loosing; being'formed at the refuedge of its esse 4,oi'tioo. with 1:11 opstanding web:idspted for connection with an assodate-L end siii, the oogje? poitioiior" said web heiiig piovided with :i foiwnrdiy oti'set por- `ioiiadapted to piovide for the i'eeeptioii of and he eomieeted en associatedport 0f ce? such huifei bleek.

i butter Casting comprising transmiselj; spaced eoiiipeitments adaptedto receive hoher s ugs :md associated stems, :i no1'- liifiilyhoi'iiontnl weh portion connecting said housing` y: itions :uidpiovidiiig a i'eiatively large rive gf. are?. 'foi' connecting seidmemhei iif'iti. ein undeiijfing striliiiig` 'casting7 the resii e( otseid hoifizoiital web portion opstanding web extendthe costing foi"irot'idkeine foiiiieo with :ai

iio; the fidi width Y zi i'ehitv h, iiietiiig :wea .Lor Coliieetiiii;tie seme t ted end siii oi" zz effi', sind hosten" w1 iheiiip; .formed'with "iwzii'diy oi'ts t itioii ized to provide to?? Tesel of :i huffeihioek oi' the like, whereby said casting may be rigidly Connected to miassociated zun testiiiioli'xv whereof l o fiiz-r my signature. DONALDBRROVS.

